For instance, macros can be used to conduct tests of mediation and moderation in regression, estimate path coefficients of other indirect effects, or to perform bootstrapping functions. There are many applications for using macros. While the time-saving potential of a well-designed macro is apparent here, it becomes even more attractive for more complex or frequent SPSS tasks (imagine the previous example, performed every day, using 100 sets of variables, and requiring subtle adjustments to multiple output statistics). This example involves only one simple application of SPSS macros, used for a relatively straightforward task, performed once-per-week.
These methods and estimates of time required are as follows: Assuming you need to run similar analyses for 12 sets of variables every week, these analyses could be performed using one of three methods. Your report provides descriptive statistics and regression models to examine the impacts of several marketing campaigns on company profits. Suppose you run weekly analyses for a marketing company.
Macros can conduct a whole series of analyses, make adjustments to multiple output statistics, produce multiple charts with many combinations of variables, or any number of other tasks.Īfter a macro has been defined, written, and saved, it can be used by “Calling” it. The SPSS macro language is quite flexible. Similar to other programs, macros serve to “automate” a series of operations which would be much more time-consuming or complex to perform by issuing commands one step at a time. These mini programs are written in a combination of a special SPSS macro language and the familiar SPSS syntax language. An overview of what macros do and how they functionĪn SPSS macro functions as a “mini program” within the syntax of SPSS.